Alli Gabbert

Hiking clubs, walking groups, kayaking events, youth adventure clubs, picnics, and the annual Only Fools Run At Midnight fundraiser are just some of the numerous outdoors activities offered this summer by the Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL).

SAIL’s next Senior Hiking Club monthly hike will be from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26. Seniors should meet at the Swan Lake Senior Center for transportation to the trailhead, which will be determined by the group on the day of the hike. Local biologist Kitty LaBounty will join the monthly hike in June.

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once a month, usually on the second or third Wednesday. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club. For more information, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert at 747-6859 or email her at agabbert@sailinc.org (Note, Bridget Kratz will replace Alli as the SAIL ORCA program coordinator/Jesuit Volunteer later this summer).

In addition, the 11th annual Only Fools Run At Midnight costumed fun run/fundraiser for SAIL starts at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the Sitka Fire Hall. The 5-kilometer fun run and 1-mile walk are open to anybody, and costumes are encouraged. Please pre-register by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the SAIL office (514 Lake St.), the Hames Center, Old Harbor Books, or First Bank, or you can enter on the day of the race starting at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the Sitka Fire Hall. Minors need parental permission to participate. Registration is $10 for youth (17 or younger), $20 for adults, and $50 for families of four. You can register by clicking this link, and going to the Sitka listing, or by contacting Dave Nuetzel at dnuetzel@sailinc.org or 747-6859

SAIL also started its senior kayaking program in April for seniors (age 60 and older only). The next session is from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at a location TBA (on the ocean), and the event is open to seniors of all experience levels. This event has an activity fee of $25 (scholarships are available). There also will be a three-day kayaking trip to Samsing Cove on July 12-14. The cost for the Samsing Cove trip is $450, with a deposit of $225 due by June 30.

Finally, SAIL will host a community picnic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at Halibut Point Recreation Area. This event is open to all members of the community. SAIL will provide the grillables, but everybody is asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert (or Bridget Kratz later this summer) at 747-6859.

This group is designed so elders can get healthy physical activity, but family members and caregivers are encouraged to join the free hikes. The first few will be at the Sitka National Historical Park, but later they will move to other mostly flat trails in town, such as the Sitka Sea Walk and through the streets of downtown Sitka. When the group starts using other trails, the SAIL activity van will be available to pick people up and take them to the trail for a $5 fee.

Elders with canes, crutches and walkers are welcome, and trekking poles will be provided for those who need them. These weekly hikes are low-key and relaxed, and they are for elders of all skills and fitness levels. Hikers are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and join the group for a picnic after the hike.

For more information, contact Emily Reilly at SEARHC at 966-8866, Skye Workman at the Sitka Pioneer Home at 747-2103, or Alli Gabbert of SAIL at 747-6859. Also, volunteers are needed for the program.

The Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) has announced its next Senior Hiking Club hike will be from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22. Seniors should meet at the Swan Lake Senior Center for transportation to the trailhead.

Normally, the group usually picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. SAIL makes trekking poles available for hikers to use (trekking poles are great on ice or uneven terrain, and they help seniors keep their balance), and hikers are encouraged to bring cleats such as YakTrax during the icy months of winter.

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once a month, usually on the second or third Thursday. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, senior and adaptive kayaking trips, senior cycling events, and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert at 747-6859 or email her at agabbert@sailinc.org. The calendar below includes hiking, orienteering, kayaking, and other events for seniors, youth, and the disabled.

The Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) has announced its next Senior Hiking Club hike will be from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. Seniors should meet at the Swan Lake Senior Center for transportation to the trailhead. Sitka naturalist and bird-watcher Matt Goff will join this hike and share his knowledge.

Normally, the group usually picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. Please note that this month’s hike is on a Wednesday instead of the usual Thursday. During the winter, hikers are encouraged to bring cleats such as YakTrax, and SAIL makes trekking poles available for hikers to use (trekking poles are great on ice or uneven terrain, and they help seniors keep their balance).

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once a month, usually on the second or third Thursday. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, senior and adaptive kayaking trips, senior cycling events, and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert at 747-6859 or email her at agabbert@sailinc.org. The calendar below includes hiking, orienteering, kayaking, and other events for seniors, youth, and the disabled.

The Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) has announced its next Senior Hiking Club hike will be from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 20. Seniors should meet at the Swan Lake Senior Center for transportation to the trailhead.

Normally, the group usually picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. Please note that recently the dates of the senior hikes have changed to Thursdays from Wednesdays. During the winter, hikers are encouraged to bring cleats such as YakTrax, and SAIL makes trekking poles available for hikers to use (trekking poles are great on ice or uneven terrain, and they help seniors keep their balance).

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once a month, usually on the second or third Thursday. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, senior and adaptive kayaking trips, senior cycling events, and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert at 747-6859 or email her at agabbert@sailinc.org.

The Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) has announced its next Senior Hiking Club hike will be from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20. Seniors should meet at the Swan Lake Senior Center for transportation to the trailhead.

Ray Friedlander, the Tongass National Forest Community Organizer for the Sitka Conservation Society, will join the group for this hike. She will discuss her work with the Sitka Conservation Society and how people can be better stewards of the Tongass.

Normally, the group usually picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. Please note that recently the dates of the senior hikes have changed to Thursdays from Wednesdays. During the winter, hikers are encouraged to bring cleats such as YakTrax, and SAIL makes trekking poles available for hikers to use (trekking poles are great on ice or uneven terrain, and they help seniors keep their balance).

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once a month, usually on the second or third Thursday. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, senior and adaptive kayaking trips, senior cycling events, and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert at 747-6859 or email her at agabbert@sailinc.org.

The Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) has announced its next Senior Hiking Club hike will be from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23. Seniors should meet at the Swan Lake Senior Center for transportation to the trailhead.

Photonaturalist Adam Taylor will join us for this hike to Mosquito Cove. He will offer tips on basic digital photo concepts as well as more advanced techniques. Please let us know if you don’t have access to a camera and would like one to use on this hike.

Normally, the group usually picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. Please note that recently the dates of the senior hikes have changed to Thursdays from Wednesdays. During the winter, hikers are encouraged to bring cleats such as YakTrax, and SAIL makes trekking poles available for hikers to use (trekking poles are great on ice or uneven terrain, and they help seniors keep their balance).

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once a month, usually on the second or third Wednesday. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, senior and adaptive kayaking trips, senior cycling events, and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Alli Gabbert at 747-6859 or email her at agabbert@sailinc.org.